USU football: Benton set to make statement for Ags

LOGAN — Utah State linebacker Deshon Benton couldn't have finished up spring drills any better last year.

"I proved myself during spring. I earned a good role on the team to get a lot of playing time," said the 5-foot-10, 222-pounder.

When he came back to begin summer workouts last June, however, he was told he wasn't eligible.

Benton, who transferred to Utah State from Modesto Junior College, was a half-credit shy of eligibility — what made it hurt even more was it was a P.E. credit.

"I could have taken Pilates and been able to play," he said. "I wasn't aware of it. I'm just a student and I'm doing what I'm told. People tell me what classes to take and I take them. It just so happened I needed a half-credit more."

He took the news quite hard.

"It was devastating because as an athlete and as a competitor, you want to be officially on the team," he said. "It was disheartening sometimes to go to the sites (of games) and your name is on the roster."

He explored other options, but his drive to play Division I football won out, and he stayed in Logan.

"I adapted to my role and took it with pride," he said. "I was able to take part in practices, but I had to run scout (team). I took pride in that because I knew it got my teammates ready. Since I wanted to be a part of the team, I needed to do what I needed to do to get the team ready."

He was awarded for that by being named the Aggies' Defensive Scout Team MVP.

Now he's ready to prove on the field what he wanted to do last year.

To help his situation, De'von Hall, who started at linebacker for three years, was moved to safety, opening a spot for Benton.

"I know I can step in and be a leader at the linebacker position," he said.

He will start at outside linebacker and work side-by-side with Jake Hutton and Paul Igboeli.

"I want to do whatever it takes to make this team win," he said.

Benton, who began his football career at Division I-AA University of San Diego, led Modesto Junior College with 52 tackles in 10 games as a sophomore in 2006. He also has three tackles for loss, two interceptions and two pass break-ups. One of his interceptions he returned for a touchdown.

At Downey High School, he was a two-time league MVP and four-time team MVP.